JFJ wants investigation into statements by main witness in X6 murder trial

Human rights group Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ) is calling for an investigation of allegations by the main witness in the X6 murder trial that police officers told him to lie about seeing the accused person at the murder scene.

The main witness, taxi driver Wayne Wright, told the court that police officers tried to coerce him into saying that Patrick Powell was the person who shot Mais in 2011.

JFJ wants the police Inspectorate and the Independent Commission of Investigations (INDECOM) to investigate the claim.

JFJ says it wants an investigation to determine the truth.

It notes that there have been troubling allegations in the past that officers acted outside of the standards and goals of the police force to secure an unjust conviction.

JFJ says an investigation is necessary to protect the name of the Jamaica Constabulary Force or protect the good name of the main witness if he was speaking the truth.

The JFJ executive director Horace Levy says this will send a message to civilians and the police that false accusations will not be taken lightly in the local justice system.

JFJ executive director Horace Levy

JFJ says the investigation must be conducted speedily to ensure that the necessary corrective actions can be taken without delay.